Don’t let anger overcome logic
My anger and frustration mount daily watching videos of the BP oil well disaster unfolding in the Gulf with no end in sight.
Seeing helpless birds and sea creatures caught in this nightmare is heartbreaking. It will be years before the ecosystem in Louisiana’s marshes recover.
A recent article in USA Today stated there are 3,500 rigs operating in the Gulf, 35 of them in deep water. I am astounded. I’m also amazed that there hasn’t been a prior disaster, given so many hurricanes in the Gulf, aside from Mexico’s disaster.
BP has stated it will honor all legitimate claims and has hired outside help to do so. Supposedly, they have 40 teams brainstorming solutions to stop the oil flow.
I can relate to the sign-toting protesters urging boycotting BP stations. However, I want BP held accountable and to pay the legitimate claims and possible forthcoming lawsuits.
The worst-case scenario would be for BP to file bankruptcy and all the helpless victims become double victims, many of whom have just rebuilt from Katrina. I will go out of my way to patronize BP for their sakes. We must not let our anger get ahead of our smarts.
DORMA POMEROY
Put experience of Evatt to work
It is with pleasure that I endorse Mike Evatt in his decision to run for District 9 of the Hamilton County School Board.
I have known Mike since he was a teenager and have watched him master the challenges of the School Board Maintenance Department, retiring after 33 years, and he has now successfully established his own construction company. He now feels he can now contribute his working experience to the efforts of the School Board.
Mike and his wife, Becky, would like to leave to their children a legacy of success composed of hard work, honesty, and God first in all they aspire to do.
Therefore, I am asking my friends and relatives who reside in District 9 to vote for Mike as your representative on the School Board. You will be proud that you did.
BETTYE COLLYER
CLARK
Hixson
Why are people upset with Arizona?
Our government (local, state and federal) has laws to maintain order in our country. We may not always agree with a particular law, and if we do not obey it, we may suffer the consequences.
I do not understand why citizens of the United States and a lot of people in government are upset with Arizona in trying to protect their state from illegal immigrants. They are just trying to do what our federal government is supposed to do — make people obey the law.
So many of the so-called politicians in Washington, D.C., do not have the internal fortitude to do what is right. Most of them are more concerned with their own self-interests, and they could care less about what the majority of the legal citizens want and need.
JOE ROBERTS
Ooltewah
Spend more time showing tolerance
Central to the criticism of Riverbend is the idea that family values are not unique to Christians and Riverbend should reflect that diversity. I applaud the concern about the important role of the home in our community and believe that we should rally our collective talents to bolster our homes as havens for our children. Instead of directing “pot shots” toward Christian music, I suggest that we spend our time and energy becoming more supportive and encouraging to one another regardless of creed or personal beliefs.
EUGENE GASCAY
Ooltewah
Olin needs to do the right thing
Dave Flessner’s article on the Olin plant (June 8) ignores a huge problem with the plant: it’s historically the largest mercury emitter in the state of Tennessee.
Mercury is a known neurotoxin and is one of the most dangerous pollutants around. What is even more shocking is that there is mercury-free technology readily available for Olin to use to eliminate mercury from the process.
This technology has been embraced by more than 95 percent of the chlorine industry — in part because the new technology is much more energy efficient and better for business. Olin is obviously a powerful corporation, so why are they falling behind the rest of the industry when it comes to environmental and public health?
Now that Wacker is on the way to become a new customer of Olin, wouldn’t this be a prime time to switch to a cleaner, more efficient method? Not to mention that there is a bill in the U.S. House and Senate that if passed, will force Olin to switch.
Why is a big prominent corporation like Olin waiting to be forced to do the right thing?
SUZANNE WISDOM
Cleveland, Tenn.
Make ‘Iron Lady’ our representative
Robin Smith is being referred to as an “Iron Lady.” How lucky we will be when Robin is our U.S. Congressperson. Robin is as strong as iron in her beliefs and her dedication to our country.
Remember the only person critical of a strong woman is a weak man!
Vote for Robin on Aug. 5.
MARTI RUTHERFORD
Brush pick-up plan is utter confusion
I live in the Forest Plaza subdivision. For many years, we enjoyed a system of effective pick-up service. Streets looked clean and uncluttered. This is no longer the case. Brush lies everywhere all the time. I have seen it lie for as long as four months.
A driver who picked up my neighbor’s brush refused to pick up mine next to it because he did not have an order to do so.
When you call 311, you get the recording of 50 calls being ahead of you. Either wait or call back at a later time. Perhaps that explains the 35,000 calls mentioned in your paper. Who gets paid for answering and processing the calls?
The five former employees whose salary is being saved may most likely draw unemployment now. My neighborhood suffers greatly from your so-called money-saving plan. We have progressed from order to disorder, from good common sense to nonsense, and from a structured plan to utter confusion.
MARGARET
KIRKPATRICK
Hixson
Sons of Ishmael bring war, turmoil
From our very beginning, we as a nation recognized that the God we trusted was the God of Israel. We look to the Ten Commandments and the precepts of Jesus Christ for guidance. The Bible was believed to be the Word of God. We are connected to the God of Israel and we are indebted to his people, Israel.
God has promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel.
As a woman, I have a blessed life living in a Christian country.
Jesus’ example was to show respect to women. The ideal marriage is told of in Genesis 2:23-24 and later in Ephesians 5:28-33.
The Muslims’ treatment of women is a window into whom we are dealing with. It can be observed worldwide. The prophetic words spoken to Abraham concerning Ishmael, the son of Hagar the Egyptian, were, “He will be a wild man, his hand will be against every man and every man’s hand against him and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” Genesis 16:11-12. These words were spoken almost 6,000 years ago, and they are still true. The sons of Ishmael have brought war and confusion to America.
RACHEL DECOSIMO
Signal Mountain